Welcome! My name is David Tomen, and I am the author of NootropicsExpert.com, my books Head First 2nd Edition – The Complete Guide to Healing & Optimizing Your Brain with Nootropic Supplements and (FREE!) Secrets of the Optimized Brain, and my Nootropics Expert YouTube channel.
I started Nootropics Expert® in January 2016. You can learn more about my story and why I started Nootropics Expert over on my About Page.
You can quickly see the nootropic supplements that I personally use every day on this page: What I Take
And if you’re in a hurry, go to this page to Buy Nootropics.
I also do Personal Consultations if you could use some help choosing the best nootropic supplements for you. You’ll find my calendar here: Nootropics Expert Consultations
How Nootropics Can Help You
You can end your search now. Because here on Nootropics Expert you’ll find the help you have been searching for. No matter the brain health problem that is making your life miserable.
Here you’ll find information on this List of Nootropics which has dozens and dozens of links to nootropic supplement reviews that I’ve written, and update as soon as new science becomes available. In a language that is easy to understand.
You’ll learn where each supplement comes from, how it works, the benefits you can expect, how much you should use and how often, possible side effects, and how to select from dozens of options – which one to buy.
NOTE: Every single word on Nootropics Expert is written by me. It’s not an AI or a contract copywriter.
You will also discover that everything I write about a supplement is supported by peer-reviewed clinical studies. You will not find links to other websites or blogs.
Instead, you will find dozens of clickable links in each supplement review and article to supporting and relevant clinical studies.
So you have the option of reading the same research I found and used to write my reviews and articles.
My hope is that if you’re overwhelmed by the fragmented information for nootropics spread across several websites, you can end your search on what has become the best nootropics website.
Quickly find out how one nootropic may interact with another. Which ones are safe. And which nootropic supplements have side effects. I will cover all that here.
Use my Nootropics Guide to get more familiar with the top nootropics and different types of cognitive enhancers and what they do. Soon you’ll be able to safely build your own nootropic stack.
I’m happy you’re here. Because you should be able to find everything you need to know about nootropics on Nootropics Expert. No need to go anywhere else.
Armed with this knowledge you can choose the best nootropics for you, and finally start experiencing the benefits you’re working to achieve.
Where to Buy Nootropics
Once you’ve decided which nootropic supplements you’d like to try, how do you know which is the best supplement to buy?
I’ve done the homework for you and put together a list of nootropic brands and supplements. Most of which I personally use and highly recommend.
You’ll find the highest quality, purest nootropic supplements on this page.
The Definitive Guide to Nootropics
A nootropic is a substance that enhances cognition and memory and facilitates learning.
Neuro-hacking and the research behind brain modulation, nootropics, and biohacking in general is a constantly evolving and improving science.
We cover all that in The Definitive Guide to Nootropics.
The Big List of Nootropics
Nootropics cover a broad category of compounds with cognitive boosting properties.
They have minimal side-effects and are appropriate for long-term use.
The Big List is a quick reference guide for nootropics. Learn what it’s for, how it’s used, side effects, interactions and dosing suggestions.
The Best Nootropics
Achieving brain optimization comes with a lot of trial and error. Experimenting to see what works best for you. But spend enough time in the nootropics community, and you begin to see patterns develop.
After you try the latest edition to the racetam-family of nootropics. Most biohackers settle into the nootropic that works best for each category of; cognition & focus, memory, energy & motivation, anxiety & depression, and brain repair & maintenance.
The “Best Nootropics” page is a distillation of what I have found to be the best nootropics for each category of brain optimization. You’ll find a list of the best nootropic compounds for each category. And links through to more detailed articles for each category.
Join The Discussion - 1,743 comments
Andrew
December 12, 2018
Hi David! Thank you for the great advice you gave regarding L-Tyrosine and 5HTP. I have yet another question though I’m afraid. You have recommended finding a B complex that contains B6 in the form of P-5-P. Would it be detrimental to buy a brand that uses Pyridoxine Hydrochloride? I’m mainly looking at it from a budgeting point of view. Thank you David – Andrew.
David Tomen
December 12, 2018
Andrew, pyridoxine hydrochloride is the hydrochloride salt of pyridoxine. As long as your body can efficiently convert it into P-5-P it shouldn’t be a problem.
Sean Dower
December 4, 2018
Hello David!
Thank you for such comprehensive reviews on all these nootropics, it certainly helps those of us like me who are newer to this field and are on the search for information.
I have a question about mind lab pro, which I’ve started taking a week ago. I’ve read on a few mind lab pro reviews that it is recommended to cycle off to avoid building any tolerance. I believe the example was 5 days on, two days off. What are your thoughts on this?
David Tomen
December 4, 2018
Sean, I’ve never thought that cycling something like Mind Lab Pro made logical sense. Some of the ingredients in Mind Lab Pro are used by your body every day. And others are used by your body and brain to do things like synthesize neurotransmitters which you need constantly.
I have a feeling some like to cycle because it feels good when they start using the supplement again. I happen to enjoy feeling good all the time. I not only do not cycle Mind Lab Pro but also use double the recommended dose every day of the week.
Sean
December 5, 2018
Thank you, I appreciate the response!
I have one other question for you.
I am at an impass of deciding between two nootropic stacks . I have tried them both separately and enjoy them both. The first of course is mind lab pro, and the second is optimind. I was considering using both stack, but I’m worried It might be mixing too many ingredients and be harmful or counter productive. Any suggestions?
(If you are not familiar with optimind I can provide a list of the ingredients)
David Tomen
December 6, 2018
Sean, you could use both but I would be cautious about using Optimind because it should not be taken every day. It contains Huperzine-A which has a half-life of up to 24 hours. Which means that is you take it every day, unhealthy levels of Hup-A could build up in your body.
Huperzine-A is a very potent acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. Dosing it every day will result in excess acetylcholine levels in your system which is not good.
I suggest using Mind Lab Pro as your daily base nootropic stack. And use Optimind no more than 2 or 3-times per week.
Eric
December 3, 2018
Hi
My condition is anxiety disorder/ generel anxiety disorder/ anxiety attacks and I have some symptoms of depression and have had this condition for the past 15 years. My anxiety started to become worst when i went through bullying in school and when my father and mother used to fight alot ( dometic violence) and then when my father passed away 7 years ago. Now a days I feel the pressure and anxiety from studying, I am on my last year of studying in the university.
I am a male, age 26. weight 67 kg, height 165 cm.
I need some advice regarding some supplment for my anxiety disorder. Curently I feel anxiety, fatigue, low mood and low energy, bad memory, little or no motivation and really bad sleep.
Therefore I am planning to use Rhodiola rosea and L theanine. I tried ashwagandha for a day but i felt severe headaches, so i stopped taking it. I am currently taking remeron ( mirtazapine 30 mg but planning to tappering it soon. I am wondering if its ok to combine these 3 together?
I am also wanted to know if I could use lions man mushroom. Because i have read that it repair dammage nervcells. I personally think that during the 15 years of anxiety sometime severe anxiety, might have dammage atleast some nervcells.
What would you recommend using to balance my serotonine, dopamine, gaba levels?
I should mention that this will be my first time using nootropics. I have tried different ssri medications, snris and benzos but I have not seen any longterm improvments and of course there is always the side effects. I have also been to therapist to use cbt and also selfhelp. I have tried it but it doesnt really help becasue I have noticed that I definitely have chemical imbalance but I dont want to take prescribed medicines any more.
I have tried cipralex, celexa, flouxitine, Remeron, venlafaxine, duloxetine, Propiomazine, Ambien, zopiklone, Hydroxizin, Oxazepam and some others
I should also mention that I workout regularly and try to eat well.
I would really appreciate a response from you.
Best regards!!
David Tomen
December 4, 2018
Eric, please see my posts on dealing with anxiety:
https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-social-anxiety/
https://nootropicsexpert.com/top-7-nootropic-adaptogens-to-conquer-anxiety-and-stress/
Also, learn exactly how mirtazapine works in your brain. Get very familiar with its mechanism of action or pharmacology, and interactions with other drugs and supplements. You can use Wikipedia to research mirtazapine.
The first post on “social anxiety” investigates each of the neurotransmitters you mentioned in your question. This will likely take more than 2 or 3 nootropics to get the kind of relief you are looking for. And it’s great that you are willing to experiment. Both of those posts will provide some ideas on what you can try next.
Mark
December 1, 2018
Hi David,
I started taking Lugol iodine for detox. I started taking 6 drops in half glass of water.
However, about an hour after taking it, I feel heavy pain behind behind my ear lopes and cough out a lot of phlegm as well as having a running nose.
Is this normal. Please advise
David Tomen
December 1, 2018
Mark, those are classic symptoms of detox and should go away after a few days. But it can get ugly until then. If you find the symptoms too uncomfortable, cut back your daily iodine dosage until your body cleans itself out.
Mark
December 2, 2018
Hi David,
Thanks for your response and encouraging remarks.
michael
November 26, 2018
Who can find a B-complex 100 with Folate (b9) instead of Folic Acid..
Trying to dump my regular B complex which has folic acid ..Don’t seen to find any with folate…
thanks
David Tomen
November 26, 2018
Michael, B-Complex supplement using something better than folic acid are difficult to find. This is the one I use everyday from Life Extension > https://amzn.to/2r46ge5
Andrew
November 25, 2018
Ahhh…I think I had a moment back there and got confused Taurine is a precursor to gaba isn’t it? Silly me. Ok, so NALT and L Tyrosine when used intelligently can be used instead of, or in conjunction with L- Phenylalanine?
David Tomen
November 25, 2018
Correct. See this section of my review on Tyrosine for how it works > https://nootropicsexpert.com/tyrosine/#l-tyrosine-vs-n-acetyl-l-tyrosine-nalt-whats-the-difference
Andrew
November 25, 2018
Hi David 🙂 Andrew here (I corresponded with you November 1st). Thanks for the great advice – much appreciated. I have taken your advice and ordered Vinpocetine (not yet received). You asked if I live in the USA – no, I live in England so I think it needs to be prescribed here. I ordered it from eBay (Source Naturals brand) to get around that. Do you know if that brand is reputable? I also ordered Lithium Orotate and Ashwagandha.
Also, do you know if any nootropics need to be cycled or if any shouldn’t be taken long-term? There’s so much conflicting information online…for example – I read that Ginkgo can cause cancer? And lastly, with regards to Tyrosine and NALT – in some videos you advise to not indiscriminately raise neurotransmitter levels (i.e use l Tryptophan as opposed to 5htp) – in which case why not use Taurine instead? Thank you very much for your help David.
David Tomen
November 25, 2018
Andrew, Source Naturals has proven to be a reliable and trustworthy supplement manufacturer and I’ve had only good results with their products.
Non of the nootropics you mention in your comment require cycling.
And one of the primary reasons Nootropics Expert has become the authority site on this subject is we strip away all the confusion and conflicting information. Every review on this site and in my books are backed by peer-reviewed studies and personal experience including dosages, how to use the supplement, drug interactions and recommended forms to buy.
Taurine is its own neurotransmitter and neuromodulator. But is NOT a precursor to dopamine like L-Tyrosine and NALT are. It is also true that raising neurotransmitters can be helpful. But dopamine and serotonin must be balanced. Otherwise, too much dopamine suppresses serotonin in your brain. And the reverse is true as well.
Because I’m Adult ADD, I supplement with L-DOPA and L-Tyrosine. But I also take very small doses of sublingual 5-HTP when needed. And when it feels like dopamine and norepinephrine have taken over to the detriment of serotonin. It’s easy to get into this kind of trouble and not know why you feel so amped and irritable.
david e mastrude
November 25, 2018
Hi:I am 70 and i feel that my memory is failing slightly.
I will be growing lion`s mane soon.
I would like to know how to process lion`s mane fruit into
a capsule or other form.
I understand that the cell walls must be broken down
before the medicinal properties can be absorbed.
David Tomen
November 25, 2018
David, your digestive system is designed to break down and extract raw material for use in your body and brain. Your body’s built-in delivery system is rather remarkable.
Please see my review of Lion’s Mane here > https://nootropicsexpert.com/lions-mane/. And you’ll come across a Japanese study of menopausal women who experienced less anxiety and better mood after eating Lion’s Mane-laced cookies.
We’re biohackers and not gardeners here so I suggest asking someone over on the North American Mycological Association (www.namyco.org).
david e mastrude
November 25, 2018
Thanks…very interesting group.